Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2019

“Today we voted to give our men and women in uniform the resources they need to defend our country and to deliver those resources on time for the first time in a decade,” said Thornberry. “Those nine years of partisan politics, stopgap spending measures, and kicking the can down the road have eroded our strength and encouraged our enemies. We have no duty that is more important than keeping faith with our troops.”

This bill provides a total of $674.4 billion for the Department of Defense. This funding level is consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA), which was signed into law on August 13, 2018.

Thornberry also said, “It is also important that the federal government provides programs the funding they need on time for Americans.”

Defense Appropriations:

• Continues to rebuild our military by boosting base funding, ensuring our armed services have the resources they need around the world, and provides funds for equipment procurement;
• Increases funding for readiness programs to make sure our warfighters are prepared for the missions we ask them to do;
• Updates our military for the future of warfare;
• Improves end strength by providing sufficient funds for our military personnel and pay;
• Includes funding for the Defense Health Program, which cares for our troops, military families, and retirees; and
• Makes steps toward reforming the Pentagon, to ensure taxpayer dollars are well spent.

District highlights:

• Sheppard Air Force Base: The bill appropriates funding for an increase in end strength of the Air Force and a 2.6% pay raise consistent with the FY19 NDAA. It provides funding to address the readiness crisis including; increased flight hours, equipment upgrades, and depot maintenance. It also provides funding for the care of our troops, military families, and retirees.
• Bell: Close to $2.4 billion is appropriated for Bell’s V-22 Osprey and helicopter programs, including the procurement of 13 new Ospreys and 25 new H-1 helicopters.

The bill also includes appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services. That portion is $1 billion above fiscal year 2018 for medical research, education, and job training. These appropriations include the continuing fight against the opioid crisis, Impact Aid, and continues to prohibit federal funds being used for abortion.